Helen Irene (Scovel) Ryan

Helen S. Ryan, 86, of Middlefield, wife and best friend of the late Gilbert A. Ryan for fifty-six years, passed away on Wednesday July 31 in Rockville.   Born and raised in Middletown, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Emily (Limer) Scovel. 

She lived in Middlefield for fifty-nine years before moving to assisted living at Norah’s Place in Rockville, her home for the past eighteen months.  She was a homemaker at the ‘7R Ranch’ for all her married life.  She was a member of the Middlefield Federated Church serving on various committees. She was also active in the Middlefield-Rockfall Athletic Association for twelve years.

She is survived by her five children, Kathleen Phillips and husband Tom of Coventry, Robert Ryan and wife Gail of Manchester, Roxanne Ryan of Portland, Gilbert Ryan and wife Terri of Durham and Richard Ryan and wife Robin of Durham; five grandchildren, Karen Donoghue of Steamboat Springs, CO, Lindsey Ryan and Bevan Main of Washington, DC, Thomas Ryan and Amy Solomon of Niantic, and Kevin and Kristin Ryan of Durham; two step grandchildren, Kevin Phillips and son Aiden of Fort Benning, Georgia and Sarah Risley, husband Eric and son Ashton of Willimantic; her brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Gladys ‘Hap’ Scovel of Chester and several nieces and nephews.

The Ryan family wishes to thank the staff at Norah’s Place for the loving and compassionate care she received there.  Thank you to caregivers Renee, Beth, Betty, Shirley, Tyshawna, Shannon, and Brittney; to Pam; and to Norah.  The family also wishes to thank the Vernon VNA Hospice team for their compassionate and professional care.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday August 24th at 10:30 am at the Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main St, Middlefield, with the Rev. Rebekah Forni officiating.  Interment will follow in Middlefield Cemetery.

There will be no calling hours.  In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations in Helen’s memory to the Middlefield Federated Church Book of Remembrance, 402 Main Street, Middlefield, CT 06455 or to the charity of their choice.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

The Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown is handling the arrangements.

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